Ok, I am a total Linux newbie, and I just installed Mandrake 9.2 Final.

I have been advised by several to update the Kernel hoping that it will solve many of the issues I am having with my Dell Inspiron 8000. I've checked out Linux-Laptop site and nothing seems relavant enough for me.

So.. I have read that 9.2 doesn't have the Kernel source installed. So, I'd like to know, in newbie-detail, how to install, configure, and recompile the current Kernel, which is 2.4.22. Then, how do I update the Kernel to 2.60 test 9?

Any info would rock!

Here is a HOWTO for compiling kernels.


http://www.linux.org/docs/ldp/howto/Kernel-HOWTO/



___________________________________
Be prepared. Create a LifeBoat CD.
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Steve Stites

but how did you get Mandrake 9.2??
Did you pay for it ?
If you had download it free, please post the links.

I read that HOWTO, and tried it, but I got a ton of errors in the process... too many to troubleshoot just one.

I had to install the Kernel source from the CDs AFTER install of Mandrake 9.2. They didn't include it by default. So, all of the steps to back up my configs didn't really apply...

I'm lost!

Is there an easy way to just get 2.60 test 9 and patch against 2.4.22? Does it matter what you're patching against?

I don't remember where I downloaded from... but if you search Google, you'll find a few.

It's simple...see:

http://www.mandrakesecure.net/en/kernelupdate.php

"Is there an easy way to just get 2.60 test 9 and patch against 2.4.22? Does it matter what you're patching against?"

A patch file works only against a very specific base file. So, no to patching 2.60 anything against 2.4.22. Some of the distributors such as SuSE and Red Hat sometimes build some of the latest kernel code into back releases but this is not a trivial task.

You do not have to install the kernels in version order and you do not have to use kernel source packaged by Mandrake. If you are interested in 2.60 test 9 then download it from www.kernel.org and install it (dual boot), regardless of what Mandrake kernel you are using. Personally, I prefer to use source from www.kernel.org rather than SuSE, not because there is anything wrong with SuSE, but because the SuSE kernel is always several months behind www.kernel.org.


___________________________________
Be prepared. Create a LifeBoat CD.
http://users.rcn.com/srstites/LifeBo...home.page.html

Steve Stites

I guess I'm still having a hard time finding out how to simply install a new kernel.

I'll give that site a shot.. Thanx.

Hi all.

Firstly, what are your hardware issues?

You may not have to be so drastic

Secondly, Upgrading your kernel to 2.6 is not a task for the faint of heart..

Mandrake customizeds it's kernels, so if you do decide to get the 2.6prex kernel from www.kernel.org be prepared for some extra headaches..

Mandrake has made additions to their linux kernel, one major one being supermount the way in which drives are mounted. You may be in trouble here.. It might be good to learn about mtab and fstab before proceeding or your drives will not all be mounted.

After reading the linux how to compile the kernel thing... it would be wise to write down all the modules that Mandrake (lsmod) is running ie sound driver, video driver, etc and make sure that at a bare minimun you make sure they are compiled in.

If at all possilbe wait until Mandrake releases kernel-source-2.6xxx rpm. This will ensure that you won't lose maximum functionality of your system..

Either way , here's the skinny of it..I'd back up EVERYTHING first... *just in case*

grab the kernel,
become root
install the files to /usr/src/linux
make xconfig
*heres where a gui menu comes up.. select what best fits your computer..* Most of the options should be already fine.. but make sure there is support being compiled in for your computer setup... for now don't worry too much about getting rid of all the extra stuff*
*save and exit*
make dep
make bzImage
make modules
make modules_install
depmod -a
cd /usr/src/linux/arch/i386/boot
cp bzImage /boot
edit /etc/lilo.conf and add your kernel.
lilo
reboot select your new kernel and hope for the best..

READ THE HOW-TO's THOUROUGHLY to grasp these steps better..


Have fun

Gary

Well I was reading the HOWTO listed above, but WHILE I was reading it, it was "removed for review". I can't find anything anywhere else..

I started that HOWTO... and it compiled ok I think... However, the make modules_install didn't work.

I have a problem now though, when Lilo tries to load, I get a screen full of 9's. I've run Lilo again, but that doesn't fix it.

I've been booting using a CD which is working fine.

I'm actually trying the HOWTO with Kernel 2.5.75.

Any other info would rock...